Hearst Castle Tours

Hearst Castle, perched along California’s Central Coast, is the ostentatious creation of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan. This 90,000-square-foot (8,361-square-meter) estate comprises 165 rooms and 127 acres (51.4 hectares) of gardens, terraces, pools, and walkways—all now open to the gawking public.

The Basics

Construction of Hearst’s Moorish-style castle began in 1919, and it was his private residence until his death in 1951. La Cuesta Encantada, which means “enchanted hill,” opened to visitors in 1958. Today Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark. The home is furnished with items collected on Mr. Hearst’s travels, such as monastery ceilings, Byzantine tapestries, Spanish and Italian artworks, and gaping fireplaces from Gothic castles. In its heyday, Hearst Castle also boasted the world’s largest private zoo.

To see any of the castle or grounds, you must purchase one of the tours offered. The Grand Rooms Tour, which includes the Assembly Room, refectory, gardens, theater, Neptune Pool, and Roman Pool, is the most popular. Highlights on other tours include the Casa Grande, the guest houses, and Casa del Sol, in addition to the main house. Evening tours are also available—a great way to beat the Central Coast’s summer heat.

Things to Know Before You Go

Reserve tickets or a tour ahead of time for this popular attraction; admission is available up to 56 days in advance on the site.

There is a handicap- and wheelchair-accessible tour available in the evening during spring and fall that skips much of the walking and stair climbing.

The only dining option with food for purchase is at the Visitor Center.

Temperatures in San Simeon can be high in the summer, and there is a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing involved.

How to Get There

Reach Hearst Castle from the north via Highway 101 to Paso Robles. The castle’s entrance is about five miles (eight kilometers) inland, atop the Santa Lucia Range, about five miles (eight kilometers) north of Hearst San Simeon State Park. Alternatively, book a tour from Paso Robles or Los Angeles that includes transportation.

When to Get There

Hearst Castle is open from 9am every day, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Summer temperatures can be quite high; a spring or fall visit is lovely. Holiday time at the castle brings the Holiday Twilight Tour, with twinkling lights and decorations galore.

Star Power

During Hearst’s heyday in the 1920s and ’30s, he often entertained stars from Hollywood and members of the political elite. Famous guests included politicos Winston Churchill, Calvin Coolidge, and Franklin Roosevelt; and entertainers Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Joan Crawford, the Marx Brothers, and Greta Garbo.

Explore the incredible scenery and fascinating history along the Southern and Central California coast on this 12-hour day trip from Los Angeles. Enjoy one of the world’s most picturesque oceanfront drives as you head north, stopping first at Santa Barbara to visit its harbor, gorgeous beaches and historic Spanish Mission. Then see Solvang, a Danish-themed town near Santa Barbara. Finish the day with a visit at the sprawling Hearst Castle, constructed by famed publisher William Randolph Hearst. Your California coastal day trip also includes coach transport, live on-board commentary and Hearst Castle admission.

Visit the top destinations of the American West, once known as the Wild West, on this 4-night tour from Los Angeles. You'll travel through California and Nevada to reach the coastal towns of Santa Barbara and Carmel; San Francisco, a.k.a. the City by the Bay; Yosemite National Park; and Las Vegas. Attractions include the 17-Mile Drive, a San Francisco Bay cruise, an evening tour of the Las Vegas Strip, and a trip to Hoover Dam.

See the best that California has to offer during this 3-day, 2-night West Coast tour, covering some of the Golden State’s top cities and outdoor areas. Start your trip in Los Angeles, snaking north by van or motor coach through California hotspots including Santa Barbara, Solvang, Yosemite National Park, Carmel, San Francisco and Hearst Castle. It’s a memorable opportunity to explore one postcard-worthy destination after the next. Your tour of the California coast also includes two nights of accommodations and a driver-guide.

Visit some of the top destinations in the American West on a 7-night, 1-way tour from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. You'll travel through California, Nevada, and Arizona to visit Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, ending in Las Vegas. Attractions include a cruise on San Francisco Bay, an evening tour of the Las Vegas Strip, visiting Hoover Dam, and Jeep tour through Monument Valley.

Travel across the American West to see some of its top destinations on a 6-night tour from Los Angeles. You'll make your way through California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona to visit Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park. Attractions include the 17-Mile Drive, a cruise on San Francisco Bay, an evening tour of the Las Vegas Strip, and a cruise on Lake Powell.

Experience the spectacular scenery, wildlife and culture of California’s coastline, on an epic, 3-day adventure from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Sit back and relax as your friendly guide handles the driving along coast-hugging Highway 1, stopping along the way to explore highlights like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Santa Cruz beaches, the sea cliffs of Bug Sur, luxurious 17-Mile Drive, jaw-dropping Hearst Castle and downtown Santa Barbara. Finish the one-way journey with a train ride into the sprawling glamour of Los Angeles. Tour size is limited to eight people for a more intimate, small-group experience.

Explore some of the top destinations of the American West on a 6-night, 1-way tour from San Francisco to Las Vegas. You'll travel through California, Nevada, and Arizona to visit Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. Attractions include a cruise on San Francisco Bay, an evening tour of the Las Vegas Strip, visiting Hoover Dam, and Jeep tour through Monument Valley.

Explore some of top destinations of the American West, once known as the Wild West, on this 3-night one-way tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles. You'll travel through California and Nevada to visit Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas, and the Hoover Dam. Attractions include a cruise on San Francisco Bay and an evening tour of the Las Vegas Strip.

Join a small group to travel from Paso Robles to Hearst Castle for a guided tour of the stunning landmark mansion. Upon arrival, start your visit by watching the National Geographic IMAX Movie 'Building the Dream.' Next, tour Hearst Castle with a guide who shares commentary about the architecture and history of the mansion, then have time to walk around the grounds independently after the tour. Your small group has a maximum of eight participants, and includes entrance fees, lunch, driver-guide, and pickup and drop-off in Paso Robles.

This tour of the California coast combines the comfort of train travel with the luxury of a small-group tour. Board your long-distance train in Los Angeles for the trip to San Luis Obispo, and then travel through wine country and to the famous Hearst Castle in a small car. Then, reboard the train for your remaining trip to Oakland and transfer to San Francisco.

The AMTRAK Coast Starlight train runs along the coast of California, all the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles. On this tour, enjoy spectacular views as you ride the train one-way to LA, stop overnight in San Luis Obispo, and enjoy a half-day tour along the Pacific Coast, visiting Morro Bay, Hearst Castle, and the Elephant Seal Rookery.